Director of the La Escuelita Learning Hub–Beechmont Presbyterian Church–Louisville, KY
Since we can consider candidates that can work either full-time or part-time we have created two distinct job descriptions:
Position title: La Escuelita Learning Hub Director – FULL TIME
Position description:
La Escuelita Learning Hub, a ministry of Beechmont Presbyterian Church (BPC) and Ministerio Presbiteriano Hispano/Latino de Preston Highway (PHLMPH, its acronym in English), is an after-school and summer program for immigrant families where their children receive academic and social support and are cared for emotionally, academically, spiritually, and physically. The program also provides intensive family support and services. La Escuelita Learning Hub is staffed by a community of volunteers, including a social services/sustainability advisor and a cultural advisor, as well as a paid administrative assistant and drivers who transport the children to and from the program that meets principally at BPC.
The director will be responsible for planning and overseeing a program that exemplifies Christian love and compassion, using a trauma-informed approach and cross-cultural sensitivity, to provide the following supports to the students: academic and ESL/EAL support, a listening ear, and enrichment activities such as music, parties, games, outdoor recreation, arts, and crafts. While the intent is to garner additional funds to continue the position, this is initially a one-year, full-time, 40-hour-a-week position which pays $22/hour and follows the public-school academic year and summer schedule*. We will work with the candidate to ensure that basic health insurance coverage is in place. The coordinator will be a BPC employee and be under the supervision of La Escuelita Learning Hub Committee. * The summer schedule is TBD by JCPS but is generally full time for 1 month.
Essential position tasks and responsibilities:
1) Work directly with children and volunteers from 3:15 PM until 6:45 PM Mondays through Thursdays to implement the after-school program (14 hours/week).
2) Provide administrative and program management following established guidelines, which include Mid Kentucky Presbytery’s Boundary Guidelines. This includes:
• Recruiting, scheduling, training and supervising administrative assistant, drivers, and volunteers, supervision of maintenance/management of a potential vehicle, and holding monthly meetings with volunteers (12 hours week average).
• Attending and providing a report at monthly meetings of the La Escuelita Learning Hub Committee, which will provide supervision, guidance, and support. This committee makes high level decisions including the development of a strategic focus and assuring that the program effectively uses assets, advances its mission and adheres to regulations/guidelines. The coordinator will also attend BPC Session meetings as requested (1 hour/week average).
• Creating the conditions for fundraising leadership and ensuring funding is in place to execute the budget. This includes seeking funding opportunities, grant writing, speaking with donors, and attending events (6 hours/week average).
• Providing family support, with the assistance of volunteers, by connecting students/families to community services and JCPS (7 hours/week average).
The director will receive support from:
• The Administrative Assistant who provides administrative support by completing tasks designated by the director (3 hours/week average).
• The Social Services Advisor who volunteers at least 20 hours/month on agreed upon tasks, to provide social services for children and families, and advises on funds development.
• The Cultural Advisor assists in engaging in culturally sensitive interactions with students and their parents and co-planning social/educational activities with children’s families every 6 weeks.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Fluency in Spanish and English.
• Experience in exuding authority and garnering respect with children who present challenging behaviors.
• Ability to be a patient, consistent, caring, and trustworthy leader and role model.
• Ability to effectively manage/administer a program that demonstrates equity.
• Cross-cultural experience and willingness to learn the cultures of our students, and how to interact positively with families who have experienced trauma.
• Ability to organize/supervise ESL/EAL programs, academic support, and enrichment activities.
• Ability to cultivate funding partnerships and raise funds.
• Ability to supervise and train a team of volunteers.
Desired:
• Professional training in a human service field i.e. education, pastoral ministry, or social work.
• Experience in teaching or tutoring in ESL/EAL programs.
• Ability to drive students when needed; adequate insurance & driver’s license required; mileage will be covered.
Beechmont Presbyterian Church is committed to not only being an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the U.S. Government, but is also committed to gender and sexual orientation inclusion. Candidates from communities in the global south and other historic communities of color with languages other than English are encouraged to apply.
Interested candidates please send resumes and contact information for three references, one personal and two professional, to Daniela Gutierrez danielagutierrezfolch@gmail.com and Debbie Braaksma debbie.braaksma@outlook.com.
Position title: La Escuelita Learning Hub Director – PART TIME
Position description:
La Escuelita Learning Hub, a ministry of Beechmont Presbyterian Church (BPC) and Ministerio Presbiteriano Hispano/Latino de Preston Highway (PHLMPH, its acronym in English), is an after-school and summer program for immigrant families where their children receive academic and social support and are cared for emotionally, academically, spiritually, and physically. The program also provides intensive family support and services. La Escuelita Learning Hub is staffed by a community of volunteers, including a social services/sustainability advisor and a cultural advisor, as well as a paid administrative assistant and drivers who transport the children to and from the program that meets principally at BPC.
The director will be responsible for planning and overseeing a program that exemplifies Christian love and compassion, using a trauma-informed approach and cross-cultural sensitivity, to provide the following supports to the students: academic and ESL/EAL support, a listening ear, and enrichment activities such as music, parties, games, outdoor recreation, arts, and crafts. While the intent is to garner additional funds to continue the position, this is initially a one-year, part-time, 25-hour-a-week position which pays $22/hour with benefits and follows the public-school academic year and summer schedule*. The coordinator will be a BPC employee and be under the supervision of La Escuelita Learning Hub Committee.
Essential position tasks and responsibilities:
1) Work directly with children and volunteers from 3:45 PM until 6:45 PM Mondays through Thursdays to implement the after-school program (14 hours/week). The summer schedule is TBD but is generally 40 hrs./week for 1 month.
2) Provide administrative and program management following established guidelines, which include Mid Kentucky Presbytery’s Boundary Guidelines. This includes:
• Scheduling and supervising administrative assistant, drivers, and volunteers, supervision of maintenance/management of a potential vehicle, and holding monthly meetings with volunteers (10 hours week).
• Attending and providing a report at monthly meetings of the La Escuelita Learning Hub Committee, which will provide supervision, guidance, and support. This committee makes high level decisions including the development of a strategic focus and assuring that the program effectively uses assets, advances its mission and adheres to regulations/guidelines. The coordinator will also attend BPC Session meetings as requested (1 hour per week average).
The director will receive support from:
• The Administrative Assistant provides administrative support by completing tasks designated by the director; 3 hours a week.
• The Social Services/Sustainability Advisor who volunteers at least 20 hours/month on agreed upon tasks, to provide social services for children and families, and advises on funds development.
• who connects students/families to community services and JCPS, submits grant proposals, recruits volunteer and organizes volunteer training (Volunteers at least 20 hours/month on agreed upon tasks).
• The Cultural Advisor assists in engaging in culturally sensitive interactions with students and their parents and planning social/educational activities with children’s families every 6 weeks.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Fluency in Spanish and English.
• Experience in exuding authority and garnering respect with children who present challenging behaviors.
• Ability to be a patient, consistent, caring, and trustworthy leader and role model.
• Ability to effectively manage/administer a program that demonstrates equity.
• Cross-cultural experience and willingness to learn the cultures of our students, and how to interact positively with families who have experienced trauma.
• Ability to organize/supervise ESL/EAL programs, academic support, and enrichment activities.
• Ability to supervise and train a team of volunteers.
Desired:
• Professional training in a human service field i.e. education, pastoral ministry, or social work.
• Experience in teaching or tutoring in ESL/EAL programs.
• Ability to drive students when needed; adequate insurance & driver’s license required; mileage will be covered.
Beechmont Presbyterian Church is committed to not only being an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the U.S. Government but is also committed to gender and sexual orientation inclusion. Candidates from communities in the global south and other historic communities of color with languages other than English are encouraged to apply.
La Escuelita Learning Hub, is an initiative of Beechmont Presbyterian Church (BPC) and Ministerio Presbiteriano Hispano/Latino de Preston Highway (PHLMPH, its acronym in English).
The hub operates as an after-school and summer program for immigrant families. In addition to family support and services, youth receive academic and social support and are cared for via programming that promotes positive social/emotional learning and development.
Goals and Benefits
Participants will experience increased proficiency in English, per the cultivation of second language skills, and ESL support.
The program assists in improving the school retention rate for immigrant youth.
Youth are engaged in culturally inclusive social development activities and academic enrichment.
The program supports positive behaviors due to the integration of instructional approaches that support the social/emotional development of marginalized youth.
The program integrates trauma informed strategies …immigrant and refugee youth have higher rates of trauma than youth who are not transnational. While youth are incredibly resilient, trauma and toxic stress can result in poor health outcomes that persist throughout life. However, clinical interventions can promote resilience and decrease the negative impact of trauma/Source- MPDI
The hub supports the deepening of relationships and mutual learning between the La Escuelita Learning Hub families, the church, and the greater community.
The program connects families with the supportive services needed to ease resettlement and regain stability.The hub is registered with UNITE US, a platform that assists with connecting families with additional resources;
These resources include the following;
Vital medical and psychological services. Additional resources needed for asylum seekers
Funding pathways for immigrants who are relegated to residency restrictions, and limited employment options
